Musculoskeletal Trauma

Few hospitals in the country specialize in the treatment of broken bones on the same level as the musculoskeletal trauma surgeons at Montefiore Medical Center. Not only do we provide comprehensive care of all musculoskeletal injuries to the hand, foot, shoulder, and spine, but we also embrace all the latest treatments to facilitate the speediest recovery for each patient.

Fractures, or broken bones, are one of the most common injuries sustained by individuals of all ages. In fact, one out of every two Americans will fracture a bone and receive treatment from an orthopaedic surgeon before reaching his or her 65th birthday, according to a report from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Most of these injuries are relatively minor and can be treated by general orthopaedic surgeons using casts or splints; however, some cases do require surgery.

Unparalleled Expertise

Patients of all ages ranging from newborn infants to the most senior of our senior citizens are cared for by the orthopaedic trauma surgeons of Montefiore Medical Center. They come for treatment of simple bone or fractures to the most complicated of injuries involving multiple bones. Complex injuries often require highly specialized treatment for the optimum rate of healing, especially for children, as injured growth plates can cause long-term problems.

Additionally, patients who have sustained acute and often multiple fractures due to osteoporosis or accidents, such as automobile crashes, require care from a dedicated team of orthopaedic trauma surgeons like ours, who have received fellowship training to successfully manage severe and life-threatening injuries. Our surgeons also have extensive expertise in the treatment of secondary problems related to broken bones, including: infections, non-unions (failure of the broken bone to heal), and mal-unions (failure of the bone to heal with appropriate alignment).

State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Procedures

Our musculoskeletal trauma surgeons at Montefiore Medical Center approach each patient as conservatively as possible, but when surgical treatment is required, we encourage the most minimally invasive solution for the speediest recovery. Some of the techniques we employ when treating various fractures include the following:

Intramedullary Rodding: Rods are inserted into the bone marrow canal in the center of long bones of the extremities (commonly the femur or tibia) to align and stabilize the limb. One significant advantage of these rods is that they share the weight with the bone, rather than support it entirely alone, so patients are able to use the extremity more quickly.
Plate and Screws: Fixation with plates and screws is used commonly. The purpose is to return the bone fragments to their proper position and stabilize the bone until it heals.
External Fixation: The purpose of this different method of treatment, often chosen when the bone is infected or a significant amount of bone has been lost from an open fracture (compound), is to immobilize the bone in order to allow it to heal properly. This is accomplished with rigid support, through the placement of pins or screws into the bone on both sides of the fracture that are secured with an external apparatus bridging across the broken area. It may also be used to correct the shortening or angulation of an extremity.
Correction of Deformity: Individuals with abnormal alignment of the extremity from a prior injury or a shortened extremity can opt for surgery to correct the problem. This may entail the use of IM nails, sometimes plates, and possibly external fixation. Deformities secondary to osteoarthritis can also be corrected to not only to relieve pain, but also delay future progression of the arthritis.

Ongoing Research and Cultivating the Next Generation of Surgeons

In an effort to perpetuate the practice of embracing cutting-edge treatments and technology, the Musculoskeletal Trauma service team at Montefiore Medical Center participates in clinical and basic research studies, with an interest emphasis on medical ethics. We are also dedicated to offering the orthopaedic surgery residents various opportunities in order to cultivate the next generation of highly skilled surgeons. Current project involve treatment options for hip fractures as well as multiple other fractures of both the upper and lower extremities.